used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
anew
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
any person at all
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
cavaliernounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪr/
a gallant or courtly gentleman
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
at any time
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
horse'snounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
the act of departing
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
staying power
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
lightenverbUS /ˈlaɪtən/
make more cheerful
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
MERIWETHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
morassnounUS /mərˈæs/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
put a saddle on
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
softeradjectiveUS /ˈsɑːftər/
comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
THEODOSIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
unconqueredadjective
not conquered
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
at the time that
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
which person or people
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He knew his own mind as well, for he rode steadily, as if with some definite purpose, to some definite point, looking between his horse's ears.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Sitting as erect and as easily as any cavalier of the world's best, he was tall in his saddle seat, his legs were long and straight.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading MERIWETHER AND THEODOSIA Soft is the sun in the summer season at Washington, softer at times than any old Dan Chaucer ever knew; but again so ardent that anyone who would ride abroad would best do so in the early morning.
but in spite of that
From this reading This is true today, and it was true when the capital city lay in the heart of a sweeping forest at the edge of a yet unconquered morass.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young man who now rode into this forest, leaving behind him the open streets of the straggling city--then but beginning to lighten under the rays of the morning sun--was one who evidently knew his Washington.
